Caroline in the Spotlight!
Caroline is an empathetic and encouraging coach of all ages who loves developing rider confidence. With a strong background in dressage, she started coaching in her early 20’s, before returning when her kids were older. Caroline joined the MCEQ team in 2024.
What led you to start your job at MC Equestrian?
I booked my youngest daughter in for a horse-riding lesson at MC Equestrian. When we arrived, her coach Monica recognised me from when we used to work together as riding coaches many years earlier. She mentioned it to Dee, who asked if I’d be interested in coaching again. I enthusiastically accepted and have loved getting back into it.
What does your typical day at MC Equestrian involve?
A typical day involves teaching lessons, tacking and untacking horses and walking the horses up the bridle path (next to Booralie Road) to and from their paddocks.
Tell us what you like best about working for MC Equestrian Riding School?
Horse riding has been an integral part of my life, and I love being able to share that passion for horses with my students. I find it immensely satisfying to see riders progress in their riding skills and connect with their horse. I’ve always been interested in working in fields that support wellbeing (I have a psychology background and I’m a yoga teacher). There’s an increasing body of research demonstrating the therapeutic value of horse riding and how it can help provide long term mental and emotional (not to mention physical) benefits. I love that coaching allows me to witness firsthand how horses can positively impact people’s physical, mental and emotional health.
Tell us about your horses?
I bought my first horse, Jacko, when I was 15 years old. I had saved up the money myself and he was in my price range. He was four years old, fresh out of the paddock and barely broken in. Not surprisingly, I spent a lot of time falling off him but refused to listen to anyone who told me to sell him and get a sensible older horse. Luckily, a wonderful dressage coach took us on and mentored us. We worked with her over the next ten years and grew to love dressage and competed together regularly. Eventually I retired Jacko from competing and bought a beautiful bay warmblood, Gussie, to do more advanced dressage on. I learnt so much from both horses and feel very fortunate to have had them in my life.
Tell us about any funny horse encounters you’ve experienced?
Once at a horse show, I went to eat my lunch – a peanut butter sandwich – but it was missing from my bag. I turned around just in time to see my horse demolishing the last of it and licking his lips. He had eaten both the sandwich and the plastic wrapper it was in! Fortunately, there were no ill effects.
What is your favourite horse quote?
“Horses can help us develop greater self-awareness and emotional intelligence” – Linda Parelli